Contra Costa County, CA History
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta
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SOURCE: The History of Contra Costa County, California
Edited by: Frederick J. Hulaniski
Publisher: Elms Pub. Co., Berkley, CA 1917
CHAPTER VI
EXTRACTS FROM GENERAL JOHN A. SUTTER'S DIARY*
*The following rough notes of narrative in the handwriting of the venerable
General Sutter, the discoverer of gold in California, were found some years ago
among the papers of an eminent citizen of this state. As a relation of
incidents in the life of a man held in respect by every Californian, these hasty
and imperfect memoranda will, it is believed, have a double interest and a
lasting value. We have thought it best to preserve, as nearly as was
practicable, the quaint phraseology, erroneous orthography, and imperfect
punctuation of the manuscript, giving, in our judgment, an added charm to the
narrative. ----------------------San Francisco Argonaut.
I LEFT the State of Missouri, where I had resided for many years, on the
first of April, 1838, and traveled with a party of men under Capt. Tripps, of
the American Fur Company, to their rendezvous in the Rocky Mountains (Wind River
Valley). From there I traveled with six brave men to Oregon, as I considered
myself not strong enough to cross the Sierra Nevada and go direct to California,
(which was my intention from my start, having got some information from a
gentleman from Mexico, who had been in California).
Under a good many dangers and other troubles I passed the different forts
or trading posts of the Hudson Bay Company, and arrived at the Mission at The
Dalles on the Columbia River. From this place I crossed straight, through thick
and thin, and arrived to the great astonishment of the inhabitants. I arrived
after seven days in the Valley of the Williamette, while others with good
guides, arrived in seventeen days previous my crossing. At Fort Vancouver I was
very hospitably received and invited to pass the winter with the gentlemen of
the company, but as a vessel of the company was ready to sail for the Sandwich
Islands, I took passage in her in the hopes of soon getting passage from there
to California. But five long months I had to wait for an opportunity to leave,
but not direct to California, except far out of my way to the Russian American
colonies on the northwest coast, to Sitka, the residence of the Governor,
(Latitude 57).
I remained there one month and delivered the cargo of the Brig Clementine,
as I had charge of the vessel, and then sailed down the coast in heavy gales,
and entered in distress in the Port of San Francisco, on the second of July,
1839. An officer and fifteen soldiers came on board and ordered me out, saying
that Monterey was the port of entry. At last, I was allowed 48 hours to get
provisions (as we were starving) and did some repairing on the brig.
In Monterey I arranged my affairs with the Custom House and presented
myself to Governor Alvarado, and told my intention to settle here in this
country, and that I have brought with me five white men and eight Kanacas (two
of them married). Three of the white men were mechanics; he was very glad to
hear that, and particularly when I told him I intended to settle in the
interior, on the banks of the River Sacramento, because the Indians at this time
would not allow white men, and particularly of Spanish origin, to come near
them; they were very hostile, and stole the horses from the inhabitants near
San Jose.
I got a general passport for my small colony, and permission to select a
territory wherever I would find it convenient, and to come in one year's time
again to Monterey to get my citizenship and the title to the land, which I have
done so, and not only this, I received a high civil office.
When I left Yerba Buena, (now San Francisco), after having leaved the brig
and dispatched her back to the S. J., I bought several small boats (launches)
and chartered the Schooner "Isabella" for my exploring journey to the inland
rivers, and particularly to find the mouth of the River Sacramento, as I could
find nobody who could give me information, only that they knew that there were
very large rivers in the interior.
It took me eight days before I could find the entrance to the Sacramento,
as it is very deceiving and very easy to pass by; how it happened to several
officers of the Navy afterwards, which refused to take a pilot. About ten miles
below Sacramento City I fell in with the first Indians, which were all armed and
painted and looked very hostile. They was about 200 men, as some of them
understood a little Spanish I could make a kind of treaty with them, and the two
which understood Spanish came with me and and made me a little better acquainted
with the country. All other Indians on the Up River hided themselves in the
bushes, and on the mouth of the Feather River they runned all away so soon they
discovered us. I was examing the country a little further up with a boat, while
the larger crafts let go their Ankers, on my return all the white men came to me
and asked me how much longer I intended to travel with them in such a
Wilderness.
The following morning I gave orders to return, and entered in the American
River, landed at the Farmer tannery on the 12th Augt. 1839. Gave orders to get
everything on shore, pitch the tents and mount the three cannons, called the
White men and told them that all those which are not contented could leave on
board the Isabella next morning and that I would settle with them immediately
and remain alone with the canecas, of 6 men 3 remained, and 3 of them I gave
passage to Yerba-buena.
The Indians was first troublesome, and came frequently, and would it not
have been for the cannons, they would have killed us for sake of my property,
which they like very much, and this intention they had very often, how they have
confessed to me afterwards, when on good terms. I had a large Bull Dog, which
saved my life 3 times, when they came slyly near the house in the night, he got
hold of them and barked most severely.
In a short time moved my camps on the very spot where now the ruins of
Sutter's fort stands, made acquaintance with a few Indians which came to work
for a short time making Adobes, and the Canacas was building 3 grass houses,
like it is customary on the Sandwich Islands. Before I came here, I purchased
cattle and Horses on the Rancho of Senor Martinez, and had great difficulties
and trouble to get them up, and received them at last on the 22nd. of October
1839. Not less than 8 men wanted to be in the party, as they was afraid of the
Indians, and had good reason to be so.
Before I got the cattle, we was hunting Deer and Elk etc. and so afterwards
to safe the Cattle, as I had then only about 500 head, 50 horses and a mandana
of 25 mares. One year that is in the fall of 1840, I bought 1000 head of Cattle
of Don Antonio Sunol and a many horses more of Don Joaquin Gomez, and others.
In the fall 1839 I have built an adobe house, covered with tule, and two other
small buildings, which in the middle off the fort, they were afterwards
destroyed by fire. At the same time we cut a road through the woods where the
City of Sacramento stand, then we made the new Embarcadero, where the old
Zink-house stands now. After this it was time to make a garden and to sow some
Wheat &c we broke up the soil with poor Californian plows, I had a few
Californians employed as Baqueros, and 2 of them making Cal. Carts & stocking
the plougs etc.
In the spring 1840, the Indians began to be troublesome all around me,
Killing and Wounding Cattle, stealing horses, and threatening to attack us en
Mass, I was obliged to make campaigns against them and punished them severely, a
little later about 2 a 300 was approaching and got United on Consumne River, but
I was not waiting for them. Left a small Garrison at home, Canons & other Arms
loaded , and left with 6 brave men and 2 Boqueros in the night, and took them by
surprise at Day light. The fighting was a little hard, but after having lost
about 30 men, they was willing to make a treaty with me, and after this lecon
they behalved very well and became my best friends and Soldiers, with which I
had been assisted to conquer the whole Sacramento and a part of the San Joaquin
Valley.
At that time the communication with the Bay was very long and dangerous,
particularly in open Boats, it is a very great wonder that we got not Swamped a
many times, all time with an Indian Crew and a Canaca at the helm. Once it took
me (in December 1839) 16 days to go down to Yerba buena and return, I went down
again on the 22d Xber 39, to Yerba buena and on account of the inclemency of the
Weather and the strong current in the River I need a whole month (17 days coming
up) and nearly all the provisions spoiled.
On the 23d Augt. 1841, Capt. Ringold of Comadore Wilkes Exploring Squadron,
arrived on the Embarcasero, piloted by one of the launches Indian crew, without
this they would not have found so easy the entrance of the Sacramento. They had
6 whaleboats & 1 launch 7 Officers and about 50 men in all, I was very glad
indeed to see them, sent immediately saddled horses for the Officers, and my
Clerk with an invitation to come and see me, at their arrival I fired a salute,
and furnished them with what they needed. They was right surprised to find me up
here in this Wilderness, it made a good impression upon the Indians to see so
many whites are coming to see me, they surveyed the river as far as the Butes.
September 4th 1841. Arrived the Russian Govr Mr. Alexander Rottiheff on
board the Schooner Sacramento, and offered me their whole Establishment at
Bodega & Ross for sale, and invited me to come right with him, as there is a
Russian Vessel at Bodega, and some Officers with plien power, to transact this
business with me, and particularly they would give me the preference, as they
become all acquainted with me, during a month's stay at Sitka. I left and went
with him down to the Bay in company with Capt. Ringold's Expedition, what for a
fleet, we thought then, is on the River. Arriving at Bodega, we came very soon
to terms, from there we went to Fort Ross where they showed me everything and
returned to Bodega again, and before the vessel sailed we dined on board the
Helena, and closed the bargain for $30,000, which has been paid. And other
property, was a separate account which had been first paid.
On the 28th of September I dispatched a number of men and my Clerk by land
to Bodega, to receive the Cattle, Horses, Mules & Sheep, to bring them up to
Sutter's Fort, called then New Hevetia, by crossing the Sacramento they lost me
from about 2000 head about a 100, which drowned in the river, but of most of
them we could safe the hides, our Cal. Banknotes at the time.
March 6th, 1842, Capt. Fremont arrived at the port with Kit Carson, told me
he was an officer of the U. S. and left a party behind in Distress and on foot,
the few surviving Mules was packed only with the most necessary, I received him
politely and his company likewise as an old acquaintance. The next morning I
furnished them with fresh horses & a Vaquero, with a pack loaded with necessary
supplies for his men. Capt. Fremont found in my establishment every morning
what he needed, that he could travell without Delay, he could not have found it
so by a Spaniard, perhaps by a great Many and with loosing a great deal of time.
I sold him about 60 mules & horses, and fat young steers or Beef Cattle, all
the Mules & horses got shoed, on the 23d March, all was ready and on the 24th he
left with his party for the U. States.
As an Officer of the Govt. it was my duty to report to the Govt. that Capt.
Fremont arrived, Genl. Micheltorena dispatched Lieut. Col. Teles (afterwards
Gov. of Sinalo) with Capt., Lieut. & 25 Dragoons to inquire what captain
Fremont's business was here; but he was enroute as the arrive only on the 27th,
from this time on Exploring, Hunting and Trapping parties has been started, at
the same time Agricultural and Mechanical business was progressing from year to
year, and more notice has been taken, of my Establishment, it became even a
fame, and some Early Distinguished Travelers, like Doctor Sandells, Wasnesensky
& others, Captains of Trading Vessels and Supercargoes & even Californians
(after the Indians was subdued) came and paid me a visit and was astonished to
see what For Work of all kinds has been done. Small Emigrant parties arrived,
and brought me some Very valuable Men, with one of those was Major Bidwell (he
was about 4 years in my employ). Major Redding and Major Hensley with 11 other
brave men arrived alone, both of these gentlemen has been 2 years in my employ,
with these parties excellent mechanics arrived. which all was employed by me,
likewise good farmers. We made immediately Amer. ploughs was made in my Shops
and all kind of work done, every year the Russians was bound to furnish me with
good Iron and Steel and Files, articles which could not be got here, likewise
Indian Beeds and the most important of all was 100 lb of lead (every year) with
these I was careful like with Gold.
June 3d 1846. I left in company with Major Reading and most of all of the
men in my employ, for a Campaign with the Mukelemney Indians, which has been
engaged by Castro and his officers to revolutionize all the Indians against me,
to Kill all the foreigners, burn their houses, Wheat fields, etc. These
Mukelemney Indians had great promesses and some of them was finely dressed and
equiped, and those came apparently on a friendly visit to the fort and vicinity
and had long Conversation with the Influential Men of the Indians, and one
night a number of them entered in my Potrero (a kind of closed pasture) and was
Ketching horses to drive the whole Cavalada away with them, the sentinel at the
fort heard the distant Noise of these Horses, and gave due notice, & immediately
I left with about 6 well armed Men and attacked them, but they could make their
escape in the woods (where Sac. city now stands) and so I left a guard with the
horses. As we had to cross the Mukelemney River on rafts, one of those rafts
capsized with 10 rifles, and six prs of pistols, a good supply of Ammunition,
and the Clothing of about 24 Men, and Major Reading and another man nearly
drowned.
June 16th 1846. Merritt and Kit Carson arrived with news of Sonoma beeing
occupied by the Americans, and the same evening arrived as prisoners, Genl.
Vallejo, Don Salvador Vallejo, Lt. Col. Prudon & M. Leese, and given under my
charge and Care, I have treated them with kindness and so good as I could, which
was reported to Fremont, and he then told me that prissoners ought not to be
treated so, than I told him, if it is not right how I treat them, to give them
in charge of somebody else.
Capt. Montgomery did send an Amer. flag by Lieut. Revere than in command of
Sonoma, and some dispatches to Fremont, I received the Order to hiss the flag by
Sunrise from Lt. Revere, long time before daybreak, I got ready with loading the
Canons got the people all stirring. Some them made long faces, as they thought
if the Bear flag would remain there would be a better chance to rob and plunder.
Capt. Fremont received orders to proceed to Monterey with his forces, Capt.
Montgomery provided for the upper Country, established Garrisons in all
important places, Yerba buena, Sonoma, San Jose, and fort Sacramento. Lieut.
Missroon came to organize our Garrison better and more Numbers of White men and
Indians of my former Soldiers, and gave me the Command of this fort. The
Indians have not yet received their pay yet for their services, only each one a
shirt and a pre. of pants, & abt. 12 men got Coats. So went the war on in
California. Capt. Fremont was nearly all time engaged in the lower Country and
made himself Governor, until Gen. Kearney arrived, when an other revolution took
place. And Fremont for disobeying orders was made prisoner by Genl. Kearney,
who took him afterwards with him to the U. States by Land across the Mountains.
After the war I was anxious that business should go on like before, and on the
28th. May 1847, Marshall & Gingery, Two Millwrights, I employed to survey the
large millraise for the Flour Mill at Brighton.
May 13th, 1847. Mr. Marshall commenced the great work of the large
Millraise, with ploughs and scrapers.
July 20th 1847. Got all the necessary timber and frame of the
mill-building.
Augt. 25th. Capt. Hart of the Mormon Battalion arrived, with a good many of
his Men on their way to Great Salt Lake, they had orders for Govt. horses, which
I delivered to them (war horses) not paid for yet. They bought provisions and
got Blacksmith work done. I employed about 80 Men of them, some as Mechanics,
some as laborers, on the Mill and Millraise at Brighton, some as laborers at the
Sawmill at Columa.
Augt. 28th 1847. Marshall moved, with P. Wisners family and the working
hands to Columa, and began to work briskly on the sawmill.
Septr. 10th. Mr. Saml. Brannan returned from the great Salt Lake, and
announced a large Emmigration by Land. On the 19th, the Garrison was removed,
Lieut't Per Lee took her down to San Francisco.
Novr. 1th. Getting with a great deal of trouble and with breaking wagons
the four runs of Millstones, to the Mill Sit (Brighton) from the Mountains.
December 22. Received about 2000 fruit trees with great expenses from fort
Ross, Napa Valley and other places, which was given in care of men who called
themselves Gardeners, and nearly all of the trees was neglected by them and
died.
January 28th. 1848. Marshall arrived in the evening, it was raining very
heavy, but he told me he came on important business, after we was alone in a
private Room he showed me the first specimens of Gold, that he was not certain
if it was Gold or not, but he thought it might be; immediately I made the proof
and found that it was Gold; I told him even that most of all is 23 Carat Gold;
he wished that I should come up with him immediately, but I told him that I have
to give first my orders to the people in all my factories and shops.
February 11th. Left for the sawmill attended by a Baquero (Olimpio), was
absent 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th. I examined myself every thing and picked up a few
Specimens of Gold myself in the tail race of the Sawmill, this Gold and others
which Marshall and some of the other laborers gave to me (it was found while in
my employ and wages) , I told him that I would a ring got made of it as soon as
a Goldsmith would be there. I had a talk with my employed people all at the
Sawmill, I told then that as they do know now that this Metal is Gold, I wish
they would do me a great favor and keep it secret only 6 weeks, because my large
flour mill at Brighton would have been in Operation in such a time, which
undertaking would have been a fortune for me, and unfortunately the people would
not keep it secret, and so I lost on this Mill at the lowest calculation about
$25,000.
March 7th. The first party of Marmons, employed by me left for washing and
digging gold, and very soon all followed, and left me only the sick and the lame
behind. And at this time I could say that everybody left me from the Clerk to
the Cook. What for great damages I had to suffer in my tannery which was just
doing a profitable and extensive business, and the vatts was left filled and a
quantity of half finished leather was spoiled, likewise a large quantity of raw
hides collected by the farmers and of my own killing. The same thing was in
every branch of business which I carried on at the time. I began to harvest my
wheat, while others was digging and washing Gold, but even the Indians could not
be keeped longer at work, they was impatient to run to the mines, and other
Indians had informed them of the Gold and its value; and so I had to leave more
than two-thirds of my harvest in the fields.
April 18, 1848, more curious people arrived, bound for the Mountains. I
left for Columa, in company with Major P. B. Reading and Mr. Kenbel (Editor of
the Alta-California) we were absent 4 days. We was prospecting and found silver
and iron in abundance.
April 28th. A great many people more went up to the Mountains. This day
the Saw Mill was in operation and the first lumber has been sawed in the whole
upper Country.
May 11th. Saml. Brannan was building a store at Natoma, Marmon Islands,
and have done a very large and heavy business.
May 15th. Paid of all the Marmons which has been employed by me, in
building these Mills and other mechanical trades, all of them made their pile,
and some of them became rich and wealthy, but all of them was bound to the great
Salt Lake, and spent there their fortunes to the honor and glory of the Lord!
May 19th. The great rush from San Francisco arrived at the fort, all my
friends and acquaintances filled up the houses and the whole fort, I had only a
little Indian boy, to make them roasted Ripps etc. as my Cooks left mee like
everybody else, the Merchants, Doctors, Lawyers, Sea Captains, all came up and
did not know what to do, all was in confusion, all left their wives and families
in San Francisco, and those which had none locked their doors, abandoned their
houses, offered them for sale cheap, (a few hundred dollars, house and lot, lots
which are worth now $100,000 and more) some of these men were just greaszy.
Some of the Merchants had been the most prudentest of the Whole, visited the
mines, and returned immediately and began to do a very profitable business, and
soon Vessels came from everywhere with all kind of Merchandise, the whole old
thrash which was laying for years unsold, on the coasts of South and Central
America, Mexici, Sandwich Islands, etc. all found a good market here.
Mr. Brannan was erecting a very large Warehouse and have done an immense
business, connected with Howard & Green, S. Francisco.
May 21th. Saml. Kyberg errected or established the first Hotel in the
fort, in the larger building, and made a great deal of Money. A great many
traders deposited a great deal of goods in my Store (an Indian was the Key
Keeper and performed very well) afterwards every little Shanty became a
Warehouse and Store, the fort was then a veritable Bazzar. As white people
would not be employed at the Time, I had a few good Indians attending to the
Ferry Boat, and every night came up, and delivered the Received Ferryage to me,
after deducting for a few bottles of brandy, for the whole of them, perhaps some
white people at the time would not have acted as honestly.
May 25th. The travelling to the mines was increasing from day to day and
no more Notice was taken, as the people arrived from South America, Mexico,
Sandwich Islands, Oregon, etc. All the Ships Crews, and Soldiers deserted. In
the beginning of July, Col. Mason our military Governor, with Capt. Sherman
(Secretary of State) Capt. Folsom Quartrmstr, and an Escort of which some
deserted, and some other gentlemen, travelled in company with the Governor.
As we wanted to celebrate the 4th of July, we invited the Governor and his
suite to remain with us, and he accepted. Kyberg gave us a good diner,
everything was pretty well arranged. Pinkett was the Orator. It was well done
enough for such a new Country and in such an excitement and confusion. And from
this time on you know how everything was going on here. One thing is certain
that the people looked on my property as their own, and in the winter of 1849 to
1850. A great number of Horses has been stolen from me, whole Manadas of Mares
driven away and taken to Oregon, etc. Nearly my whole stock of cattle has been
killed, several Thousand, and left me a very small Quantity. The same has been
done with my large stock of Hogs, which was running like ever under nobodies
care and so it was easy to steal them. I had no idea that people could be so
Mean, and that they would do a wholesale business in Stealing.
On the Upper Sacramento, that is from the Buttes downward to the point or
mouth of Feather River, there was most of all my stock running, and during the
Overflow the Cattle was in a many bands on high spots like Islands, there was a
fine chance to approach them in small Boats and shoot them, this business has
been very successfully done by one party of 5 men (partners) which had besides
hired people, and Boat's Crews, which transported the Beef to the Market at
Sacramento City and furnished that city with my own beef, and because these men
was nearly alone, on account of the Overflow, and Monopolized the Market.
In the spring of 1850, these 5 men divided their spoil of $60,000 clear
profits made of Cattle all of them left for the Atlantic State; one of them
returned again the Winter from 1850 to 51, hired a new Band of Robers to follow
the same business and kill of the balance of the few that was left. My Baqueros
found out this Nest of thiefs in their camp butchering just some heads of my
Cattle. on their return they informed me what they have seen, in the
neighborhood of the same camp they saw some more cows shot dead, which the
rascals then butchered. Immediately I did send to Nicolaus for the Sheriff (Jas
Hopkins) as then at the time we had laws in force ? ! ? after all was stolen and
destroyed the Sheriff arrived at Hock Farm, I furnished him a posse of my
employed Men. they proceeded over on the Sacramento to where the thiefs were
encamped, as the Sheriff wanted to arrest them, they just jumped in their Boats
and off they went; the Sheriff threatened them to fire at them, but they was
all laughing they went at large.
One day my son was riding after Stock a few miles below Hock Farm, he found
a man, (his name was Owens) butchering one of our finest milch Cows (of Durham
stock of Chile, which cost $300). He told the man that he could not take the
Meat, that he would go home and get people, and so he has done, and he got
People and a Wagon and returned to the Spot, but Owens found it good to clear
out. 2 Brothers of this man, was respectable Merchants in Lexington, Mo. and
afterwards in Westport well acquainted with me, he came one day in my house and
brought me their compliments, I received him well, and afterwards turned out to
be a thief. How many of this kind came to California which loosed their little
honor by crossing the Isthmus or the plains. I had nothing at all to do with
speculation, but stuck by the plough, but by paying such high Wages, and
particularly under Kyburg management, I have done this business with a heavy
loss as the produce had no more the Value like before, and from the time on
Kyburg left I curtailed my business considerable, and so far that I do all at
present with my family and a few Indian Servants. I did not speculate, only
occupied my land, in the hope that would be before long decided and in my favor
by the U. S. Land Commission; but now already have 2 years and 3 months
elapsed, and I am waiting now very anxiously for the decision, which will revive
or bring me to the untimely grave.
All the other circumstances you know all yourself, perhaps I have repeated
many things which I wrote in the first 3 sheets, because I had them not to see
what I wrote, and as it is now several months, I must have forgotten. Well, it
is only a kind of memorandum, and not a History at all, only to remember you on
the different periods when such and such things happened.
I need not mention again, that all the visitors has always been hospitably
received and treated. That all the sick and wounded found always Medical
assistance, Gratis, as I had nearly all the time a physician in my employ. The
assistance to the Emigrants, that is all well known. I don't need to write
anything about this.
I think now from all this you can form some facts, and that you can mention
how thousands and thousands made their fortunes from this Gold Discovery
produced through my industry and energy, (some wise Merchants and others in San
Francisco called the building of this Sawmill another of Sutter's folly) and
this folly saved not only the Mercantile world from bankruptcy, but even our
Genl. Govt., but for me it has turned out a folly, then without having
discovered the Gold, I would have become the richest wealthiest man on the
Pacific Shore.
(Signed) J. A.
Sutter.
James C. Ward. who visited General Sutter in 1848, says of him:
"A Swiss by birth, he held during the reign of Charles X. the rank of
Captain in the French Army. He purchased the buildings at Fort Ross, just north
of Bodega, of the Russians, and as he proposed to settle the wilderness to the
north of the Bay of San Francisco with European immigrants, the Mexican
Government made him a grant of eleven leagues of land on the Sacramento River.
After landing, he camped, surrounded by hostile savages, in the open plain where
the fort was afterward built, and the next morning, after dressing in full
uniform, he went, accompanied by his Indian servant, both well armed, to the
Indian village near by. The savages were informed through an interpreter that
he came to them as a friend, and if he would help them a little with their
labor, he would make them presents.
"The Indians were set to work to make adobes, of which the fort was built.
It is a parallelogram in form, with two bastians. In the middle of the square
is a building two stories high, containing four rooms, and a counting-room
upstairs. A blacksmith shop, mill for grinding corn, serape manufactory and
dwelling are around it, built against the walls of the fort. At on time he had
a well-drilled force of thirty Indians within its walls, with guards posted
night and day for its defense. No one reached it without being fed and lodged.
"I passed the evening of my arrival, after supper, in his company. His
manners are polished, and the impression he makes on every one is very
favorable. In figure he is of medium height, rather stout, but well made. His
head is round, features regular, with smiling and agreeable expression;
complexion healthy and roseate. He wears his hair cut close, and his moustache
trimmed short, a la militaire. He dressed very neatly in frock coat, pantaloons
and cap of blue, and with his gold-headed malacca in hand, you would rather
suppose him prepared for a saunter on the Boulevards than a consultation with
Simplon, his Indian alcalde, about hands required for the day's work, or ox
teams to be dispatched here and there."